Today, visionary ‘chic pop’ singer and songwriter Alfreda returns to share her alluring new single ‘Lipstick’, via Nutopia Music. The single comes from an extended project called Mother’s Makeup. All songs were produced by Moses van den Bogaerde, and co-written by songwriter George Petrie (Petrie, Mercy’s Cartel, Ed Staal), ‘Lipstick’ is the introductory single to the Mother’s Makeup world. The new music lands alongside a beautifully shot music video, directed by Alfreda herself.

‘Lipstick’ was recorded live, in one take, alongside a carefully curated session band, giving authenticity to reference points from the Great American Songbook era. The music is peppered with electronic atmospheres throughout, delivering a contemporary edge to these iconic sounds from the 60s. Jaunty piano chords contrast against an unusually dense and orchestral aesthetic. The sound signifies the push, pull scenario described by Alfreda’s honeyed vocal, as she battles with whether she needs romantic love to be happy – or whether it’s the patriarchy’s outdated pressure on women which makes them feel this way.

Alfreda said about ‘Lipstick’: “Old Hollywood musicals like Singin’ in the Rain inspired this song. One song in particular was Dean Martin’s version of You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, released in 1960. I was drawn to the glamorous old Hollywood tone. The women’s goal in these movies tends to be love and finding their home in another man. This song is written from the perspective of someone who grew up wholeheartedly believing these ideals, and then starts to question them.”